Anthony A. ‘Tony’ Navarro

Anthony A. ‘Tony’ Navarro, 74, died Sunday, Dec. 11 of cancer at his Arizona home.He was a longtime resident of Oakdale and moved to Arizona when he retired.He was born to Manual and Isabel Navarro in Hayward. He attended Hayward schools until he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Korean War. After returning from the war, he went to work for the Hayward School District and then was hired by Alameda County for the fairgrounds in Pleasanton.Mr. Navarro then joined the Pleasanton Police Reserve Officers, which is when he decided that was the career he wanted. He joined the Oakdale Police Department in 1968 and was a member of the force for 21 years. He worked in various jobs in the departments and then became sergeant and continued to pursue his education at Modesto Junior College to get his degrees in law enforcement.During retirement, he continued to work. He was a security guard at Memorial Hospital, Modesto, was an assistant to Harvey at Oakdale Shoe Repair, and his last, but most loved job was as a People Greeter at Wal Mart in Sahuarita, Ariz. He had near perfect attendance throughout his long fight with lymphoma cancer.He had a passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles and rarely missed a poker run, five house Christmas run in Modesto, Sierra Hope Run in Sonora, or any bike gathering. He also enjoyed working with his model “HO gauge” railroad in his spare time.He is survived by his wife, Fran; his children, Taft Navarro of South Carolina, Toni Kellerman of Florida, Dennis Navarro of Oakdale, Roxane Navarro-Hovenga of South Carolina, Lori Largent of Oakdale, and Joseph Navarro of Oakdale; sisters, Mary and Liz; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; and one sister.Per his request, there will be no services.Remembrances may be made in his memory to Odyssey Hospice, c/o Star Southwick, 5210 East Williams Circle, Suite 300, Tucson, AZ 85711; or to your favorite charity.